Royal Docks to be home to UK’s largest ‘floating village’

London’s Royal Docks Enterprise Zone is to bring jobs, commercial space and homes back to the capital’s waterways with the creation of the UK’s largest ‘floating village’.

The Mayor, Boris Johnson, unveiled plans which will see 15 acres of water at the Royal Victoria Dock site transformed into a thriving community with floating homes, hotels, restaurants and bars. When complete it will be one and half times the size of Green Park and have some of the best transport links in the capital with a new Crossrail station, DLR and the cable car linking it to central London and Canary Wharf.

Although a first for the UK, floating developments are already a popular idea on the continent with successful schemes at ljbury near Amsterdam and Hafen City in Hamburg as well as many others throughout Scandinavia.

Mayor Boris Johnson said: “This site is unique. It has the potential to become one of the most sought after addresses in the capital while breathing new life back into London’s waterways.”

Newham Mayor Sir Robin Wales added: “The Docks are being transformed into a living, working community of high quality offices, workspace, retail, residential spaces, leisure and entertainment facilities. They will become a vibrant, exciting and fun visitor attraction which will draw people not just from across the capital – but across the country. This venture will provide a major boost for the local economy and further cement the area’s reputation as one of the capital’s must-visit places.”